Member Spotlight - Mike Smith
Where do you work and what is your title?
I hold the title of Specialist in Corporate Communications at Amway. I've been with the company for nearly eight years.
What is your main objective in that role?
My responsibilities at Amway include assisting our team on developing PR and media relations strategies for the corporation and its subsidiaries. For instance, over the last couple of years, I have provided counseling and prepared and coordinated a PR action plan for Amway's Sales Forecasting office on announcing an endowment and scholarships from the company to students in the forecasting analysis program in the College of Business Administration at the University of Tennessee. I headed the media relations initiative for the recent announcement on Amway's sponsorship of the 2009 Family Fireworks event. And I have worked directly over the years with management at Amway Hotel Corp. to assist on PR and media relations strategies.
I work with our team on developing media launches, and I write press releases, statements and talking points on company brands, events and activities. I also on occasion will assist our chief speechwriter on preparing speeches and talking points for Amway's Office of the Chief Executive, which includes the offices for Steve Van Andel and Doug DeVos. In addition, I write corporate blogs, and I am one of a team of writers for one of the company's internal information sites.
How long have you been a member of WMPRSA?
I first joined WMPRSA in the late '90s when I was director of public affairs at WWMT (Channel 3).
Why did you join WMPRSA?
Even though I worked in the broadcast industry at the time, I viewed my role as public affairs director and spokesperson for the station in a similar fashion to the work that PR professionals do. And I always assumed that I would eventually transition to the PR industry. I believed my professional career would be enhanced by membership in WMPRSA. Plus, I felt WMPRSA would be an important organization for networking with area professionals, and for gathering valuable information that would help me gain knowledge of strategies, tools and tactics and also build credibility within the industry.
If you could have a job anywhere in the world, where and what would it be?
Hmmm... That's a tough one. Even though I enjoy the work I currently do, my first true love is music. During my first two years of college (a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away), I was a music major studying percussion. So, I guess my dream job would be to play drums for Earth, Wind and Fire, or perhaps be a percussionist for a major city orchestra.
Name a favorite Web site and explain why you like it?
I have no favorites, although I access Yahoo daily. I think its role as a valuable search engine tool is underrated. I also check out nearly every day the website of The Daily News Journal, (www.dnj.com) my hometown newspaper in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. I enjoy reading about what's happening there and around the Nashville area, along with what's happening on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University. And on occasion I'll read about someone I know or went to school with. It keeps me rooted to home.